BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University Track & Field student-athletes Jessica Polkinghorn and Kathryn Chapin competed at the 2025 USA Track & Field U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
 
Polkinghorn competed in the shot put and Chapin in the hammer throw at the two-day competition held at historic Hayward Field. The duo represented WWU at one of the top Track & Field events in the nation.
 
Polkinghorn (White Salmon, WA) placed 9th in the shot put competition with a top throw of 13.79m/45-3. During her rookie collegiate season she swept GNAC Freshman of the Year honors for indoor and outdoor while setting WWU program records in the shot put. She had an outdoor best mark of 15.45m/50-8.25 and indoor record of 14.09m/46-2.75. Polkinghorn earned Second Team All-America honors placing 10th at the 2025 NCAA II Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Pueblo, Colorado.
 
Chapin (Longview, WA) placed 11th out of 16 competitors in the hammer throw, recording a top mark of 49.33m/161-10 on her third and final throw. Chapin concluded a standout freshman season for the Vikings recording four top-10 program marks (2 indoor, 2 outdoor), including the No. 2 Hammer Throw in program history at 53.14m 174-4 while placing 2nd at the GNAC Championships.
 
"Qualifying to compete on the national stage as freshmen is an incredible accomplishment, made even better when you can do it with your teammate," said Damien Fisher, WWU's Throws Coach. "This experience was a valuable learning opportunity for Jessica and Kathryn, one that will help prepare them for the many future championship appearances these two will be chasing."